| Next time it stops, check quickly for fuel then spark. When I say quickly, I mean get off the seat, grab the tools & do it right then. Do not wait a minute or two. You still do not know if you have a spark or fuel problem. While new plugs won't hurt a thing & adjusting the carb is needed anyway, you probably won't fix it. So be prepared to check spark & fuel as soon as it stops running. And get a plug checker when you go to buy the new plugs. When you adjust the carb, make sure the tractor is at operating temp; that usually takes 10 – 15 minutes at idle depending on ambient temp. Both Ford and Marvel/Schebler (assuming you have a M/S carb ) say to set both the side-pointing idlemix and the down-pointing mainjet to 1-turn as a starting point. I set the down-pointing mainjet to 1-1/2 turns and don't fool w/ it until the final step. Then adjust the side-pointing idlemix for fastest idle; not the smoothest idle. Next, adjust the behind the carb idle-speed set-screw for very slow 400-rpms idle. Do that idlemix adjust for maximum idle at least 3-times. Make sure that you turn the screws slowly, like 1/8 of a turn at a time & wait a second or two for the engine to catch up. Take your time! Do it like this: 1. Adjust idle mix jet until RPM increases 2. Adjust idle-mix set screw until the engine nearly stops (as slow as you can get it unless you have a tach that tells you 400 rpm) Repeat steps 1 - 3 three times. Remember the side-pointing idlemix is out for lean, in for rich. If you do not have any problems inside the carb, it is easy to get the idle down to 350 - 400 rpms. Your last step is to go back to the main jet. Remember, in for lean, out for rich. If you end up turning it OUT more than ½ turn for max power (remember, you already had it 1 ½ turns out) then stop right there because you have a dirty carb or a fuel problem.
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